Women’s basketball Hall of Fame announces its new inductees

Thursday September 4, 2014

The University of Ottawa women’s basketball program and Head Coach Andy Sparks are proud to announce that Bob Butler and Hannah Sunley-Paisley will be joining the Gee-Gees Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will be taking place on Saturday September 27h, 2014 following the annual women’s basketball alumni game.

Bob Butler will enter the Hall of Fame in the builder category for his contribution to the development of the program and the sport. He coached both uOttawa men’s and women’s basketball teams for over 10 years in the 70’s, 90’s and 2000’s, and also played a key role in helping establish the women’s program. In addition to his involvement with the Gee-Gees, Bob also helped the growth of basketball culture in the Ottawa region. He helped put in place the Ottawa Rookies Program, which produced several CIS players and even a few Olympians over the years. His achievements also include 30 years of coaching in the high school community, making him one the longest serving coaches in the region. Bob’s dedication to basketball makes him a pillar in the basketball community.

Hannah Sunley-Paisley played five astonishing seasons with the Gee-Gees from 2007 to 2012. She dominated the paint in the province and in the country, both with rebounds and points. She is respectively ranked 2nd and 3rd in OUA for the most rebounds in career (993) and in a season (253 in 2010-2011) on top of being ranked 7th for most points in a career in the OUA with 1483. Her numerous awards include 3 time OUA East player of the year and 3 appearances on the CIS all-star teams. She also received the Nan Copp award as the CIS Player of the Year in her last season when she led the team to an OUA championship title, only the second in the program’s history, and a CIS bronze medal, the best results ever for the Gee-Gees. Hannah’s intensity and relentless effort has been and will remain an inspiration players at all levels.

The Gee-Gees Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame reception and the Alumni Game are open to all alumnae and friends of the program. A more detailed invitation will be sent to alumnae and friends in the coming weeks. For more information please contact Kim Duthie at kduthie@uottawa.ca or 613-562-5800 x3657.

About Us

The University of Ottawa’s traditional colours have long been garnet and grey. Before the team had an official nickname, sports teams were often referred by their team colours. The Ottawa sports media began calling the team by the colours’ initials, “GG”. A Gee-Gee is also the lead horse in a race.